Monday, February 28, 2005
(Queen’s Park) — The Official Opposition today questioned why the McGuinty Liberal government has no plan for helping Ontario’s farmers.
"The McGuinty Liberal government has no plan for our economy, no plan for health care and no plan for farmers and for maintaining the rural way of life," said Bob Runciman, Interim Leader of the Opposition. "The Liberal government’s first signal to farmers was a 20-per-cent budget cut for the Ministry of agriculture and Food."
The McGuinty government is facing a protest by hundreds — possibly thousands — of farmers on Wednesday, who see no action from the McGuinty Liberal government on addressing the very real challenges they face. First they cut the Municipal Outlet Drainage program, only to bring back a partially-funded version without any details of how farmers can access the program. Then they promised a $50 million transition fund to help tobacco farmers diversify their crops, but not one penny has flowed. Now, according to StatsCan, farmers in Ontario will collectively lose $229 million this year--6 times what they lost last year.
"Mr. McGuinty claims there is a constructive relationship between his Liberal government and farmers. I guess that’s why hundreds of farmers will be protesting on the front lawn of Queen’s Park on Wednesday," said PC agriculture Critic Ernie Hardeman.
adding insult to injury, PC Municipal affairs Critic Tim Hudak again questioned why the McGuinty Liberal government is attacking the viability of farming in the Greenbelt by refusing to bring forward an agricultural support plan. The Greenbelt bill will increase costs and the regulatory burden on these farmers.
The Official Opposition plans to raise the plight of Ontario’s farmers in the Legislature until the McGuinty Liberal government lays out a comprehensive plan to help farmers remain viable and competitive in Ontario.
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